New Delhi, June 6: Major Abhilasha Barak, an Indian Army officer and recipient of the United Nations Peacekeeping Award, has urged for diplomacy to resolve the ongoing conflict in Lebanon. She emphasized the need for dialogue to facilitate reconstruction in the war-torn nation, where she is currently serving as a peacekeeper.
During a press conference on Friday, Barak stated, “It is possible for dialogue to happen, diplomacy to be active, and I hope the ceasefire will continue.”
When asked about the situation in Lebanon, she remarked, “Then we can move towards rebuilding the community, not just by repairing roads and damaged homes, but also by addressing the trauma they have endured. We must work together as a community, a government, and peacekeepers to rebuild Lebanon.”
Earlier, Barak was awarded the 2025 Military Gender Advocate of the Year by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Guterres praised her as a role model, saying, “As a frontline commander, she has connected thousands of women and girls through vocational training and education and health programs, transforming their lives even in the most challenging circumstances.”
Barak serves as the Engagement Team Commander and Gender Focal Point in the Indian battalion deployed with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). This force operates in a region where clashes between Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel have intensified since the onset of the Iran War.
UNIFIL is currently involved in one of the most dangerous missions, with seven peacekeepers having lost their lives since March, the latest casualty occurring on Wednesday.
The ceasefire in Lebanon was brokered by former U.S. President Donald Trump but has frequently been violated, leading to widespread devastation across the country.
Peace in Lebanon is linked to the conclusion of the Iran War and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which has affected India’s gas and petrol supply.
Tehran has made a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah a condition for ending hostilities with the U.S.
Regarding her work in Lebanon, Barak stated, “As an Engagement Team Commander, my goal was to establish dialogue and engagement with all community members, especially women and girls who were hesitant to interact with male peacekeepers.”
She added, “We also provided awareness sessions on education and health. We organized physical fitness activities, recreational events, and some cultural exchange programs.”
Barak is noted as the first female combat helicopter pilot in the Indian Army and has also served as an air traffic controller.
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